Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ferret with sudden back leg weakness caused by spine lymphoma
By Hanley, C. S. et al.·Published in Veterinary Record·2004·Department of Small Medicine University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine Athens GA 30602‐7390 USA, United States·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: T cell lymphoma in the lumbar spine of a domestic ferret ( Mustela putorius furo )
- Species:
- rodent
Plain-English summary
A 22-month-old male ferret suddenly developed weakness in his back legs and was unable to walk properly. X-rays and a CT scan showed a soft tissue mass in his spine, which tests suggested was lymphoma, a type of cancer. Unfortunately, treatment with prednisone, a medication to suppress the immune system, did not help, and the ferret's condition worsened quickly. Sadly, he passed away less than two weeks after his symptoms began, and a biopsy confirmed the lymphoma had invaded his vertebrae.
People also search for: ferret back leg weakness · ferret lymphoma treatment · why is my ferret unable to walk
Abstract
A 22‐month‐old castrated male ferret developed acute pelvic limb paresis. Radiographs and computed tomography revealed a soft tissue mass with associated bony lysis of 15, and ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspirates suggested that it was a lymphoma. Treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive doses did not produce any detectable improvement in the ferret's clinical signs and it became moribund less than two weeks after they developed. A postmortem biopsy confirmed the presence of a lymphoma which had invaded the vertebral bone. No viruses were detected by cell culture, or electron microscopy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.155.11.329